Diversity, Silos and Trolls
by Miki Saxon
Yesterday we looked at how our society moved from a culture of narrow connections to one of mobility and a broader acceptance of those totally unconnected to us to the current regression back to responding mainly (often only) to those to whom we are already connected — no matter how tenuous or irrelevant the connection.
In other words, we went from silos to free-range and back to silos.
Ola Joseph says, “Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another’s uniqueness.”
But today we reinforce our particular silos through social media.
Where once we were broadened, 21st Century media provides the means to assure ourselves that our opinions are shared by both followers and followed.
Trolls aren’t new, either; they are the modern version of poison pen letters.
According to Auden, “Civilizations should be measured by the degree of diversity attained and the degree of unity retained.”
However, the anonymity of online communications allows us to unleash our thoughts with no civilizing or cultural leavening.
And so we join the ranks of trolls in one area, while bemoaning their existence in another.
Image credit: Roshan Vyas
